Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Overview

The DPT program requires graduates to successfully complete 119 credit hours of coursework to complete the degree. Admission to the program is competitive, and only a limited number of applicants are accepted each year. All applicants must meet the program's prerequisite requirements prior to admission.

Students who are admitted to the program will begin courses in the Summer semester following admission. Applications must be received by October 15 to receive full consideration. Late applications may be considered on a space-available basis.

The program curriculum is at the doctoral-level. Coursework is accordingly complex and the subject matter will require students to master difficult concepts. The program is primarily full-time, but students may be allowed a part-time option for completion.

The curriculum is built on a traditional model and uses a systems-based approach. The first year emphasizes foundational courses, especially the basic sciences of gross anatomy, human physiology, pathology and kinesiology. Coursework builds from the foundational to more sophisticated concepts, with an applied emphasis.

All anatomy lab work is performed on actual cadavers.

One of the strongest features of the program is its clinical internships. Students complete a total of 34 weeks of full-time clinical experiences. The first clinical experience occurs at the end of the first academic year of courses. Another follows at the end of the second academic year. Remaining clinical experiences occur during the last two terms of study. Opportunities for specialty clinical experiences (e.g., women’s health and home health) are available.

Prior to their last two terms, which are full-time clinical experiences, students are evaluated with simulated patients. The Department requires each student to have clinical experiences in an outpatient setting, in an inpatient setting, in an orthopedic setting and in a neurological setting.